T5 Bulb Choice Help

Zimmy71 · 11/02/2010, 09:06 PM

Friday, I am going to purchase new bulbs for my 4 bulb Tek T5 fixture. I have a problem though and that is I caught the sps bug. Currently I have birds nest, cap and 4 digitatas 12-16 inches below my fixture. The cap and birdsnest are doing great and the digi's I just got. My question is should should switch to metal halides (what kind?) or stick with my t5's? If I stay with the t5's what bulbs should I go with to give me maximum growth and a blue look to my tank?

Thanks.

rtparty · 11/03/2010, 08:34 AM

2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 KZ New Generation and 1 ATI Purple Plus

Your T5's will do fine. Don't use the splash shield and use an external fan to cool the fixture.

Zimmy71 · 11/03/2010, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtparty

2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 KZ New Generation and 1 ATI Purple Plus

Your T5's will do fine. Don't use the splash shield and use an external fan to cool the fixture.

Well, I couldn't wait till Friday to buy my bulbs because I am like a big kid and wanted them right now. I talked to my lfs owner about your combo and about what will give me a blue look. I ended up going with all giesemann bulbs, here is my combo front to back:
Actinic+
Aquablue+
aquablue +
actinic +

All I have to say is holy bleeping cow when the actinics+ come on together my tank is blueeeee. The colors are popping like crazy, but do u think I should maybe switch out the other aquablue + with the actinic + for the first set of lights?

rtparty · 11/03/2010, 10:37 PM

I would switch out an Aquablue for one of Gmann's Aquapink bulbs. A 50/50 combo like you have washes colors out IMO. Especially the pinks.

Zimmy71 · 11/03/2010, 10:57 PM

Yea I made then switch of the aquablues and the actinics and it made a great difference. I am going to the lfs tomorrow to seenif he has any aqua pinks in stock.

11/02/2010, 09:06 PM	#1
Zimmy71 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 66	T5 Bulb Choice Help Friday, I am going to purchase new bulbs for my 4 bulb Tek T5 fixture. I have a problem though and that is I caught the sps bug. Currently I have birds nest, cap and 4 digitatas 12-16 inches below my fixture. The cap and birdsnest are doing great and the digi's I just got. My question is should should switch to metal halides (what kind?) or stick with my t5's? If I stay with the t5's what bulbs should I go with to give me maximum growth and a blue look to my tank? Thanks.

11/03/2010, 08:34 AM	#2
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	2 ATI Blue Plus, 1 KZ New Generation and 1 ATI Purple Plus Your T5's will do fine. Don't use the splash shield and use an external fan to cool the fixture. __________________ Ryan Click on my user name and check out my homepage! Current Tank Info: 50g Cadlights/Giesemann Spectra (250w Radium, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Actinic)/2 x Vortech MP10wQD/Skimz SN123/Eheim Compact 3000+

11/03/2010, 10:37 PM	#4
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	I would switch out an Aquablue for one of Gmann's Aquapink bulbs. A 50/50 combo like you have washes colors out IMO. Especially the pinks. __________________ Ryan Click on my user name and check out my homepage! Current Tank Info: 50g Cadlights/Giesemann Spectra (250w Radium, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Actinic)/2 x Vortech MP10wQD/Skimz SN123/Eheim Compact 3000+

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11/03/2010, 10:57 PM	#5
Zimmy71 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 66	Yea I made then switch of the aquablues and the actinics and it made a great difference. I am going to the lfs tomorrow to seenif he has any aqua pinks in stock.